SSI XR Technical Extended Range
Develop competency and have the skills to dive to a max depth of 50m on air. Learn how to extend and accelerate decompression stops using up to 2 gases.
As a SSI Technical Extended Range diver you show that you’ve developed competency as a tec diver and have the skills to dive to a maximin of 50m. You know how to make extended, accelerated decompression stops using up to two gases. It’s not easy to reach this level and earning your XR Technical Extended Range certification opens the door to deeper diving expeditions.
A primary focus of this course is mission planning and execution. You also learn more about handling emergencies and how to think like a technical diver.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
The course covers topics and skills such as:
- Physics
- Physiology
- Hyperoxic gas mixes for decompression
- Nitrogen absorption and elimination
- Psychological aspects
- Decompression Options
- Technical Equipment - twins
- Stage cylinder rigging and labelling
- Dive Tables v Computers
- Dive planning
- Surface support
In water skills include:
- Buoyancy control
- Handling 2 stage cylinders
- Gas switching as part of a team
- Problem solving
- Rescue skills
Pre-requisites
- Minimum age 18 years
- Minimum of 70 logged dives
- Minimum of 20 dives deeper than 30 m
- At least 10 dives requiring staged decompression with at least 1 gas switch (not including training dives)
- SSI Extended Range certification or equivalent from another agency
- Current dive medical signed by a GP or other medical doctor
*These pre-requisites are slightly higher than the SSI requirements. Global Dive has found that candidates will get a lot more from their course if they have a stronger foundation, and have experience and training using twin cylinders before they start this course.
About your instructor
David Pearce has been an active technical diver since 2013. He has dived extensively around the world. His advanced technical training and technical instructor training were conducted by legendary tech diver Pete Mesley, taking him up to the level of Advanced Trimix Rebreather diver. He teaches open circuit technical courses up to the the level of 60m normoxic trimix diving. He has spent many hours in the water on some of the world’s best technical dives, including the wrecks of Truk Lagoon,, and our own Mikhail Lermontov in Marlborough and the spectacular deep reefs of the Poor Knights. He is also an active cave diver, travelling to Mt Gambier in South Australia regularly with Global Dive cave diving trips.
Course Schedule
Classroom theory sessions 3×4 hours
Confined water pool sessions 1×3 hours
Open Water Dives – 8 dives with at least 2 deeper than 30m. 4 in Lake Pupuke. 4 in the sea, these will incur a charter boat cost.
Required Equipment
- Twin cylinders with Isolation Manifold
- 2x Stage cylinders
- Wing and harness with suitable lift for diving conditions
- Twin regulators with long hose configuration
- 2x Stage regulators
- 1x mixed gas decompression dive computer
- 1x back up computer
- Mask and Fins
- Suitable exposure suit for depth and environment
- 1 x DSMB and reel
- Back up DSMB and reel appropriate for depth
- John line
- 2x cutting devices
- Wet notes
- Primary light
- Back up light
- Back up mask
Future Opportunities
Once you complete the course, you will have opportunity to practice your skills on our regular tech only trips. These are held throughout the year with divers of all tech levels taking part including some international trips.
